Your favourite online newsletter is back again - no, not the one from the dodgy political organisation in Canberra - the one from us, the Stirling Street photographic shop. We've got better ideas about how to save the nation and ours are a lot more fun!

Welcome back to Camera Electronic Sales and Service. We've opened the doors again on the 4th of January. The staff have almost recovered from the ten-day break - (This writer ate, drank, and caroused non-stop for at least 3 hours during the holiday period. Then he retreated to his studio and super-glued his fingers together.)

While we were away the back orders backed up - but now we are getting a wonderful flow of new stock for the shop. If you were waiting for a new NIKON 24-70 f.2.8 lens, or a 70-200 f.2.8 VR II lens come on down.

FOTO FREO 2010:

This year's photographic spectacular in the port city will be held between March 20 and April 18. The first 10 days of the festival are packed with lectures by visiting speakers. It has also be said that there will be close to 100 exhibitions by established and aspiring photographers so there will be something of a visual feast for all.

For more details and a sampler of some of the exhibition matter go to www.fotofreo.com

LIGHT FANTASTIC 2010:

Dale Neill, Nick Melidonis, Nick Rains, Nigel Gaunt, David Bettini, Frank Richardson, Gary Sarre, Denis Glennon, Jon Davison....come to the counter your lunch is ready...

No, No, just joking. This list of names encompasses a world of photographic talent and experience and they are all available to see and hear at the LIGHT FANTASTIC 2010 extravaganza coming next month. No matter whether you are a places, products, or people photographer, these lecturers will have something magic to show you.

The dates to look at are the 6th and 7th of February 2010 and the place to be is Notre Dame University, 38 Henry Street, Fremantle. There are lectures, demonstrations, competitions and awards, and a chance to see some of the best photo bits in the hands of some of the brightest photo minds.

It will be a good and inspiring time... guaranteed.

Bookings available through UWA Extension, Ph: 6488 2433.
Don't hesitate - do it now.
http://www.extension.uwa.edu.au/downloads/Light_Fantastic_2010.pdf

Light Fantastic 2010
6 - 7th February

Photo Inspiration with Nick Melidonis and Nick Rains
8th February

FotoFreo 10
March 20th - 18th April

WAPF Convention
April 9th - 11th April

Red Bull Air Race
April 17th - 18th

BreakOut 10
TBA

Canon Workshop
TBA

Nikon Workshop
TBA

Pentax Workshop
TBA

Leica Workshop
TBA

That's Nick Melidonis and Nick Rains - two of Australia's best-regarded landscape photographers.

They are going to be speaking in the Santa Maria Lecture Theatre at the Notre Dame University in Fremantle. The date will be Monday, 5th of February between 1:30 and 4:30

This is a GOLDEN opportunity to learn some of the workflow secrets that these two masters use to produce their award-winning images. The price is $ 59. You can't but benefit from this level of expertise and professional presentation so nip on over to Mr. Melidonis' site at http://nickmelidonis.com/courses-workshops/photo-inspirations/ and book yourself in.

So... for the last umpteen weeks people have known about new cameras from CANON and LEICA. I'm talking about the LEICA M9, the LEICA X1, and the CANON 1D Mk IV. They have been a glow on the horizon and an itch in the wallet for many people - but so far terribly hard to get your hands on.

Take heart. Stocks of these have been coming in and have been going out to delighted users. They ARE as good as you have anticipated, and the prices are quite competitive so if you would like to talk to Saul or Howard about ordering one, please give 'em a call.

PENTAX AND SIGMA PRICES DROP:

We have recently been advised that prices on Sigma and Pentax equipment have dropped. If you have been hoarding Christmas money now is the time to come in and spend it.

Around here the prospect of stocktaking hangs over us like the sword of Damocles's accountant. The threat of it is a good excuse for us to drop the prices on selected equipment - it saves paperwork. Here are five items that need to go:

It's not often that a new range of products hits our shop and ALL the staff enthuse about it. We are humans, after all, and we all have our own peculiar opinions.

But this week a big shipment of THINK TANK bags and cases arrived on the floor and we all want one or another of them. There's a special section on the back wall displaying this new line - it is quite full now - but I suspect that as soon as Perth's photographic community sees the magnificent new range we are going to be back to empty shelves.

These are really well-designed by working photographers and incorporate storage and protection features that you just don't find in other bags. The shoulder bags, roller bags, and air-transportable bags are particularly useful.

This is a NEW product for Perth, so come in and inspect the range while it is all there!

BEFORE WE FORGET - PRE-OWNED SPECIALS:

Available today in our shop

How long has it been since you felt that your camera was glamorous - since you felt that people would follow you down the street and swoon at your feet when you started to nap? Well, OLYMPUS thought of you and your image - the EP-1 camera is the new evocation of the OLYMPUS Pen camera but with a Micro-four thirds sensor and a range of digital lenses. I particularly admire the twin-lens kit with the 17mm lens and separate viewfinder as well as a zoom. It is the evocation of the hand held rangefinder camera of the 35mm era but with all the advantages of digital. Think black and chrome - stainless steel body - art filters - great colour reproduction. Come in and see the camera and try it on for style.

NEW YEAR PRICE:

Olympus EP-1 camera with 14-42mm lens kit $ 1149. Normally RRP $ 1399.
Olympus EP-1 camera with 14-42mm and 17mm lens kit $ 1499. Normally RRP $ 1799.

First Use Report

I put the full suite of NIK image-modifier plug-ins into my iMac during the holiday break. Fairly easy installation - Viveza, Color Efex Pro 3.0, Dfine 2.0, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro 3.0.

Most use so far of the Color Efex Pro 3.0. This is a program that adds a number of looks to a basic colour image - I have been doing a series of spooky vampire shots that have benefited greatly from a filter called "Midnight".

Like most of the filters in this product it is possible to apply it to small portions of the image without having to create complex masks or selections. The "U-Point" system means selecting a part in the image to start from and then defining a radius for that effect to work. You can drop as many control points as you like and they can all have different strengths.

"Midnight" has blur, deep shadows, an inner glow to the highlights, and a general air of mystery. You can specify a neutral shade or ask for blue, green, sepia, or violet. Once you are done with the settings and actually apply the filter it goes through several automatic stages to achieve the look, but also goes one better - it lays down the effect on one layer and then adds another layer over it with a darker look. You get to see if your idea would work better a little more...if not, just delete the layer and you have what you asked for.

Not everyone will want to use "Midnight" for their family portraits, though it does the in-laws a treat...but I will report on some of the other filters in subsequent issues. Suffice it to say I have found it to be a delight.

If you are an eBayer or other user of the internet and want to feature small product shots done with the absolute minimum of hassle, OPTEX have put together a mini studio kit in a box. It is brilliant - folds out of itself and into a classic soft hatchet light set-up in minutes and requires nothing but a household mains plug to work. The kit is complete with a reversible backdrop cloth and a mini-tripod. Just add a compact digital camera and whatever subject you want - all the way up to wine bottles - and you are on your way to sales.

Summer is the beach or pool and every year our repair department sees the results of people taking ordinary digital cameras in for a dip. Or out onto the sand for a roll-around. Not a nice result.

This year you can safeguard yourself with a new beach camera from OLYMPUS, PENTAX, AGFA, CANON, or PANASONIC. These ruggedized image-makers can be waterproof as deep as 3 to 10 metres, and can cope with dust, mud, sand, and splashes easily. They are fitted with sealed flash units and sturdy lanyards so twilight on the boat is no problem. Starting at $ 399.

If your budget doesn't run to a new camera, how about buying a DICAPAC waterproof housing for your current compact digital? You can dive into the surf and still operate your camera in safety through the thick vinyl walls of the housing. Not expensive either - you can wrap your compact for as little as $ 99. Who's for the beach?

And while we are down near the water we can remember this month's service tip from ERNEST CESAR, our senior service technician. I asked him what to do if you get salt water on your lens.

"If you are near to our shop, bring us the lens without trying to clean it yourself - certainly do not scrub away at a lens surface if the salt water has dried to crystals on the surface - these are like diamond grit - instant disaster!

Now that we have our lovely new clean service department we need your lovely old dirty camera to work on. Before the school rush starts take the opportunity to have a sensor clean. Charges are $ 55 for APSC-sized sensors and $ 77 for the full frame versions. If you don't know type which your camera is (some people are not absolutely sure... ) please call in and ask our Service Coordinator. Chase out those dust bunnies before they make a nest and breed a family!

We can never tell, what with the rumours that fly about independent firms re-making POLAROID films of various types. We can say, however, that the supplies of POLAROID 600 film in our cold cabinet are slowly dwindling and we would advise anyone with a compatible camera to come in quickly and purchase enough supplies. Please note that 125i film is still freely available.

You can tell it's after the holidays, can't you? Moving right along, CESCO can now offer a range of extended warranty services for purchasers of new photo equipment. This means another year or two of peace of mind after the manufacturer's warranty finishes.*

These can start as low as $ 50 - Oh, Heck, make that $ 40 if you take an extended warranty out when you buy the gear. There is a sliding scale dependent upon the purchase price but the whole thing is good value for money. Ask your sales representative about this when you buy your new camera.

In the case of an item that carries a lifetime warranty you are not allowed to die until it breaks.

You might never have thought of trading your current HASSELBLAD digital camera in for an upgrade to the phenomenal new H4D-50's or H4D-60's...but the folks at HASSELBLAD have devised a way that can lead you to the fore of the profession.

They have prepared a sliding schedule that lets you trade in combinations of the smaller mega-pixelage bodies, backs, and viewfinders for the newest and the best in the range. There are savings to be had of up to $24,500 + GST in some cases. This could mean the difference between ordinary profits and extraordinary ones.

If you use another medium format digital system there is also provision to tempt you into a major change - you too can benefit by up to $ 24,500 + GST with the H4D-60. Remember that you get the standard 12-month factory warranty.

Call Saul or Howard here at the shop.

The ex-demo NIKON cameras, lenses, and scanners that we wrote about in the last newsletter have been hopping off the shelf into the camera bags of photographers all over the state. Several canny buyers have scored the scoop of the century with top-shelf bodies at bargain prices - this will make a considerable difference to their profitability... and ours. Hooray.

BUT there are still heaps of great bargains to be had. If you ever wanted or needed a second body for backup or travel purposes, grab a D80 right now for $ 729.

RICOH have rethought the compact digital camera - in particular the business of the basic sensor format and its relationship with lenses.

Up till now there have been two distinct camps - the DSLR and the compact. The former let you change lenses but at the price of weight and complexity, and the risk of gathering dust onto the surface of the sensor - the latter delivered a lightweight pocketable camera with no lens changes but sacrificed some picture quality.

Now you can have the best of both worlds - the RICOH GXR mates a sturdy metal-bodied camera with a lens assembly that includes a dedicated sensor permanently attached to the rear of the lens. In effect you get a fresh sensor with each lens and you never open up the interface to admit outside grit.

For those of us who need our RICOH camera all in one, as it were, the GRD II and GRDIII are in stock. These have the same fabulous metal body build as the GXR but with fixed lenses.

RICOH cameras are renowned for their macro capabilities. This should be the ideal camera for the traveling naturalist who wants to record and entire expedition but doesn't want to break their bank or their back.

On of my late mother's favourite expressions, and I suspect she was looking at me when she said it... but sometimes it pays off. We have these lovely little LOMO key-rings in the shop at present. They come in 4 varieties - a Lubitel, a Diana, An LCA and a Fisheye - and they are perfectly detailed replicas of the cameras. What a perfect opportunity for a crafty photographer to buy a set, get some jewellery fittings from SPOTLIGHT, and make up earrings! Imagine addressing the next AIPP conference wearing a pair of TLR's on your lobes. Or getting the full set and making a charm bracelet or necklace.

As many Perth photographers know, CESCO has an extensive range of equipment for hire. Every week cameras, lenses, flashes, and studio gear goes out with the professionals on assignment, helping them to do more while preserving their capital. Of course we always hope they will come and spend that money with us anyway, and lots of them do...

Our new Rental catalogue has been launched on our website. Check out our complete list of dedicated Rental equipment here. New products will be added in the coming weeks. In the meantime we are happy to announce that we have the NIKON D3s and the new NIKON 70-200 f.2.8 VR MkII for hire right now. These are state-of-the-art devices for the pro. Come and see how they can work for you.

Sorry about that - it's a French railway joke. Works badly in two languages, rather like the SNCF.

No, what we are selling here is the AAA chargers that operate from the USB port on your computer. The ones that act as an LED torch. The ones that are clogging up our stairwell and storeroom...

Well, they are now going for $ 5.95 or two for $ 9.95 and we would be ever so grateful if you would come down to the shop and buy them and get them out of our lives. As Heinz Guderian used to say, "Tank you."